Some of the animals were strays, nicknamed “satos,” others were surrendered by people who barely have enough for their families and have nothing to spare to care for a pet.

Southwest Airlines donated the round trip flight to Lucky Dog Animal Rescue. The entire flight crew made the trip, agreeing to do it without getting paid. Lucky Dog worked with the rescue group called PR Animals, the Dallas News reported.

When the flight finally landed at Baltimore Washington International Airport, the animals were taken via convoy to Shirlington, Virginia, greeted at the shelter by volunteers who cheered and hugged each animal as their names were announced. The day after their Jan. 20 trip, the animals were taken to a PetSmart in Maryland for an adoption event. Most already have found their new, permanent homes, the Washington Post reported.